Highlight
You land in Hanoi at night. The city doesn't wait for you to settle in. Within hours, you're walking through narrow lanes lit with red lanterns, sitting on a plastic stool inside a Train Street café, holding a cup of egg coffee while a train passes close enough to touch. That's Day 1. By Day 3 you're kayaking through the limestone caves of Halong Bay, watching the water turn green in the light. By New Year's Eve, you're in Da Nang watching Hoi An glow orange and yellow with hundreds of silk lanterns floating over the river. Vietnam doesn't announce itself quietly. It hits you fast — the food, the colour, the noise, the warmth of people who've seen a lot but still smile freely. And the best way to take it all in isn't alone with a map. It's with a group that starts as strangers on December 29th and ends up making plans for their next trip together on January 5th. This isn't a resort holiday. It's a proper north-to-south run through three cities, two internal flights, a Halong Bay cruise, underground war tunnels, a sky-high Golden Bridge held up by two giant stone hands, basket boats through coconut forests, and the loudest New Year street you'll find outside of Bangkok. Eight days. Three cities. One group. Zero planning stress on your end.Itinerary
You land, your guide picks you up, you check in. Simple. Around 5 pm the group sets off into Hanoi's Old Quarter — 36 streets, each historically named after what was sold there. Walk through Mural Street, find a seat at one of the Train Street cafés, and try egg coffee before the train comes through. Later, spend some time by Hoan Kiem Lake as the evening crowd fills the waterfront.
Meals: Own account | Stay: Hanoi
After breakfast, you head 2 hours south to Ninh Binh. Start with the 500-step climb up Mua Cave — it's not easy, but the view of Hoa Lu valley from the top is why people do it. Then board a row boat at Trang An Eco-Tourism Area. The route passes through Sang Cave, Tol Cave, Ba Giot Cave, and Nau Ruou — each one carved through limestone by the river. Your boatwoman rows with her feet. Yes, her feet. Back to Hanoi by evening.
Meals: Breakfast | Stay: Hanoi
Early morning transfer to Tuan Chau Harbor. Board the cruise and spend 5-6 hours on the bay. You'll walk through Surprising Cave, climb Ti Top Island for panoramic views, kayak or take a bamboo boat through Luon Cave, and watch the sun set over the water with tea or wine in hand. Back to Hanoi by night.
Meals: Breakfast + Lunch on cruise | Stay: Hanoi
Morning flight to Da Nang, check in, rest. Evening is Hoi An — a 30-minute drive that takes you back about 400 years. Climb into a round basket boat for a spin through the coconut palm forest on the Thu Bon River. Then walk the ancient town: the Phung Hung houses, the old port, CI 5/14 streets. After dark, Lantern Street lights up in every colour. No rush. Wander until you're done.
Meals: Breakfast | Stay: Da Nang
Leave by 7-8 am for Ba Na Hills. Take the cable car up 1,487 metres to the Marseille Station. The Golden Bridge comes first — a 150-metre pedestrian bridge held by two giant stone hands emerging from the hillside. Then explore the Lunar Castle, ride the toy train through the French Village, and spend the afternoon in Fantasy Park. Come back down before the clouds roll in.
Meals: Breakfast | Stay: Da Nang
Morning flight south. By evening, you're in a different Vietnam entirely — Saigon's pace is faster, louder, more layered. The walking tour covers the War Remnants Museum area food court (try the pho), Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon, the Central Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel, and wraps at HCMC Town Hall. At 11 pm, Bui Vien Walking Street — Vietnam's most notorious party strip. You've been warned.
Meals: Breakfast | Stay: Ho Chi Minh
A 1.5-hour drive takes you to the Cu Chi Tunnels — 250 km of underground passages built by the Viet Cong during the war. You walk through sections of the tunnels, see the living quarters, kitchens, weapons workshops, and field hospitals. You eat cassava and drink tea — the same food fighters survived on here. For those who want, real gun shooting (AK-47 or M4) is available at your own cost. En route, a stop at Egg Shell Gallery.
Meals: Breakfast | Stay: Ho Chi Minh
Last breakfast. Pack up. Transfer to Ho Chi Minh airport. Trip over. Group chat still very much active.
Meals: Breakfast
Other Info
Arrive Hanoi in the morning around 7 AM
Stays
- 7 nights in 4-star hotels, double sharing
- Hanoi: Larosa Hotel or similar
- Da Nang: Sunny Ocean Hotel or similar
- Ho Chi Minh: Sky Gem Hotel or similar
Flights
- 2 internal flights: Hanoi → Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City
Meals
- 7 breakfasts (daily)
- 1 lunch (on Halong Bay cruise)
Tours & Activities
- Hanoi Old Quarter city walk
- Train Street and Hanoi Beer Street visit
- Ninh Binh day tour: Trang An boat ride through 4 caves + Mua Cave 500-step climb
- Halong Bay day cruise with kayaking/bamboo boat ride in Luon Cave + Surprising Cave + Ti Top Island
- Hoi An Ancient Town tour: basket boat ride in coconut forest + Lantern Street walk
- Full-day Ba Na Hills tour: cable car, Golden Bridge, Lunar Castle, French Village toy train, Fantasy Park (rides included)
- Saigon walking tour: Cathedral, Central Post Office, HCMC Town Hall
- Bui Vien Street night outing
- Cu Chi Tunnels guided day tour with wartime cassava and tea tasting
- Egg Shell Gallery stop
On the Ground
- Qualified, English-speaking local guides throughout
- Dedicated TTS trip leader for the entire duration
- All airport transfers (arrivals and departures, group timings)
- All intercity and day tour transfers on sharing basis
- All entrance fees and sightseeing costs as per itinerary
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance included. Key coverage:
- Medical expenses up to USD 50,000
- Personal accident up to USD 15,000
- Trip cancellation up to USD 1,000
- Loss of checked baggage up to USD 500
- Delay of checked baggage up to USD 100
- Loss of passport up to USD 300
- Trip delay, missed connection, personal liability covered
- International flights to/from Vietnam and airport taxes
- Vietnam visa fees and visa application process
- GST (5%) on the package price — charged additionally
- TCS as applicable
- Single room supplement (available on request at extra cost)
- Early check-in or late check-out charges
- Personal expenses: drinks, shopping, laundry, tips
- Gun shooting at Cu Chi Tunnels (AK-47/M4 — available at own cost)
- Wax Museum, cotton animal game, carnival rides at Fantasy Park, Ba Na Hills
- Anything not specifically listed under Inclusions
No Refund shall be made with respect to the initial booking amount for any cancellations. However,
- If cancellations are made 30 days before the start date of the trip, 50% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- If cancellations are made 15-30 days before the start date of the trip, 75% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- If cancellations are made within 0-15 days before the start date of the trip, 100% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- In the case of unforeseen weather conditions or government restrictions, certain activities may be cancelled and in such cases, the operator will try his best to provide an alternate feasible activity. However, no refund will be provided for the same.
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Testimonials
Samarth Udgiri
Hi, I'm samarth. I went on vietnam trip with the travel story!! OMG it was such an amazing trip everything went so smooth, the captain was soo soo good and so helpful and being my first international and first solo trip I enjoyed it to the fullest!!!
Vibrant Vietnam (NY Special)
18 March, 2026
Rashmi Toshniwal
I had wonderful experience with Travel story, it’s my first trip to Vietnam and they took well care of it , covered maximum places , and Mohit was our trip leader he is been guiding so well and informative . Delivered more than what’s promised! Very happy to be part of it
Vibrant Vietnam (NY Special)
17 January, 2026
Prashant Sethi
such a memorable and fulfilling experience with Travel Story to Vietnam! everything was well managed, itenary sorted, good stays and Shaurya (our team leader) guided us through it in best possible way and so much fun above all..so highly recommended!
Vibrant Vietnam (NY Special)
11 March, 2026
Varshitha
We had a great experience with THE TRAVEL STORY Our Vietnam trip was amazing! All the places were well covered, the itinerary was well planned, and the stay was comfortable.
Vibrant Vietnam (NY Special)
4 March, 2026
